Hiking is Healing

01/06/2024

Great morning for a hike! Happy !

30/05/2024

Join us for National Trails Day!

08/05/2024

Join us for a morning on the river as we Shoot the H***h!

03/05/2024

Ever been to the waterfall at Vickery Creek? Been wanting to go and just never been? Well, you should join us June 1st for National Trails Day! Sign up on the Heylo app. Link in bio!

28/04/2024

What a wonderful day it was to be outside again! Thank you to all of our new comers and returners! Lots of big smiles, great conversations and learning about what to bring on the next hike. 😉

09/07/2023

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in partnership with Knox County, Catalyst Sports, and Friends of the Smokies, will make public lands more accessible for visitors of all abilities by offering three adaptive programs this summer. Rangers and volunteers will lead one biking and two hiking programs using off-road wheelchairs and adaptive mountain bikes on three trails evaluated for adaptive equipment.

The following programs are designed for visitors of all abilities and their families to learn about the natural and cultural history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

• Saturday, July 22, 2023 (HIKE)—Deep Creek Trail
• Sunday, August 27, 2023 (BIKE)—Forge Creek Rd-Cades Cove
• Saturday, September 9, 2023 (HIKE)—Little River Trail

Register and find more information at Catalyst Sports, a non-profit organization that provides outdoor adventures for people with physical disabilities (https://ow.ly/jLYt50P6X3G).

Registration is required to ensure adequate equipment and volunteers are available for the programs. Participants are welcome to bring their own adaptive equipment.

Would you like to volunteer to help with the adaptive programs?

Join park staff for Accessibility and Adaptive Equipment Training on Saturday, July 15, from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at Oconaluftee Visitor Center Training Room, near the Cherokee entrance to the park.

Each piece of adaptive equipment requires assistance from two volunteers. The National Park Service will rely on volunteers for the events and will offer disability etiquette and equipment training with Knox County and Catalyst Sports for those individuals who help with the programs.

To register to volunteer, contact Katherine Corrigan at katherine_corrigan@nps.gov. Volunteer training is needed before helping with programs in the park. This volunteer position requires moderate to high fitness levels.

The adaptive programs are made possible through a National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) grant and major funding support from Toyota Motor North America.

Photo courtesy of Taryn Ferro

01/07/2023

SAVE THE DATE: You're invited! Glamp Out is your opportunity to join Outdoor Afro in recognizing all that our network has accomplished in nature because of your generous support.

Our ninth annual Academy Awards-inspired fundraiser brings together more than 250 of the nation's most inspiring leaders, cultural champions, and elected officials in a glamorous occasion that uplifts our collective love of the outdoors and community. Event details and sponsorship opportunities here: https://bit.ly/3InQbqi

27/06/2023

The outdoor recreation industry is overwhelmingly white. A new program at Tennessee State University aims to change that by getting more HBCU students involved in the outdoors.

23/06/2023

We're "Making Waves" at Outdoor Afro. Join us as we launch our annual summer program to teach children and their caregivers how to swim. Click the link (https://bit.ly/42cji8j) to learn ways you can help us meet our 1,000 Swimmership goal for 2023.

24/05/2023

Exploring the great outdoors offers a host of mental and physical benefits. But there a few things you need to know first.

31/01/2023

Hiking can cause sore muscles and tension in the body. Learn how practicing yoga can benefit hikers and relieve the soreness in your body.

28/12/2022

Join our park rangers for an inspiring First Day Hike and you'll get one of these. Find dozens of New Year's Day outings on GaStateParks.org.

15/12/2022

Jahmicah Dawes’ Slim Pickins Outfitters brings sharp fleeces and a sense of community to central Texas

01/11/2022

Accessibility Matters!

17/09/2022

Learn how to prepare for rain when you go hiking; get tips on gear to bring, how to keep it dry and special concerns for wet-weather hikers.

16/09/2022

16/09/2022

Finally, back at it again! Join us for a hike and sip on Arabia Mountain next Saturday!